CLEP Exams

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) is a "Fully Funded" CLEP Test Center. 

Each year, nearly 50,000 military service members from the Army, Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard, as well as eligible spouses and civil service employees, take CLEP exams to reach their education goals. Because the exams are funded by the United States government through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars toward your degree.

The following groups are funded under contract with DANTES:

  • Military personnel (active duty, reserve, National Guard): Army, Navy, Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army, and Air National Guard.
  • Spouses of: Coast Guard (active and reserve)
  • Civilian employees of: Air Force*

*To be eligible, Air Force civilian employees must test at on-base or U.S. fully funded test centers.

What You Need to Know

The College Board’s College-Level Examination program (CLEP) is a rigorous program that allows students to demonstrate their mastery of introductory college-level material and earn college credit. Students can earn credit for what they already know by getting qualifying scores on any of the 34 examinations.

NICC will grant the same amount of credit to a student who earns a satisfactory score (of at least 50) on a CLEP exam as it does for a student who successfully completed the related course. NICC will grant a total of 42 credits for successful completion on CLEP exams.

Register for CLEP exam: Students must first register with College Board prior to scheduling a testing appointment at NICC. When registering for a CLEP exam, military personnel should keep in mind the details below.

  • You must clearly specify your military status during the My Account process. When purchasing an exam in My Account, you will be asked if you are eligible for DANTES funding in the “Edit Personal Details,” section of the process. Military test takers must correctly designate themselves as DANTES funded and answer questions about their military status in order to receive DANTES funding.

  • You need to request your transcript through military channels. A military transcript will include all scores for CLEP exams (taken after July 1, 1974). To obtain a CLEP transcript, military personnel must order a military transcript online using the Parchment Transcript Ordering Service.

  • DANTES-funded candidates who register for a CLEP exam will receive the corresponding CLEP examination guide automatically, at no cost. When you register for a CLEP exam, the examination guide will be added to your cart automatically prior to checkout. DANTES-funded candidates can also order free examination guides separately, even if they have not yet registered for an exam.

  • Bring your Geneva Convention Identification Card ID on test day. Refer to the DANTES Eligibility Chart for additional information on IDs for active duty members, spouses, and civil service civilian employees.

Test fees: College Board assesses an $89.00 exam fee, which is payable to CLEP at the time the student registers for the exam. A $35.00 proctor fee, per exam, will be assessed and payable in the form of cash, check or credit card at the NICC testing location on exam day.  CLEP exam and proctor fees are waived for Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) funded candidates. Refer to the Veterans page for more information.

Schedule an appointment for CLEP exam: Exams are given by appointment at the Calmar or Peosta Campus. Testing hours vary at each location, please contact the site for hours of service and to schedule an appointment. Each examination takes 90 minutes, with the exception of College Composition which is approximately 120 minutes.

Exam day procedures: On exam day, a student must present a valid, government-issued ID (such as driver’s license or passport) that has both a photo and a signature. The CLEP registration ticket, with the voucher number, is also required the day of the test. No personal items are permitted in the testing area. CLEP scores are received immediately upon completion of the exam, with the exception of the College Composition with essay with may take approximately 4-5 weeks for the score.

How to prepare for CLEP exams: visit the CLEP Practice site for testing taking tips, free study materials and to review exam descriptions. Free online CLEP courses are also available via Modern States. Additional free study resources are also available through the iTunes store and Khan Academy.

If student does not meet the minimum score required to receive credit, student must wait three months before retaking the same exam. Retest fees apply. Credit will not be granted if the examination duplicates a course previously passed or failed at NICC.

Visit the CollegeBoard CLEP exams page or view our webinar for more information.

NICC recognized CLEP exams.